NFL fantasy football: Best Players Week 6

We expected a lot of big fantasy performances across the NFL in Week 5. And we got them … just not from the places we thought they’d come from. Nonetheless, it’s time for our weekly rundown of who made fantasy football enthusiasts pretty happy this week.

5. A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

It was another huge week for Green. The second-year wideout caught seven passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns — including a 57-yard strike from Andy Dalton — in a 34-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The Georgia product notched his second 25-point performance and has scored in double-digits in every game except one. Green is making a serious bid to be this year’s top fantasy receiver and he’ll try to keep it going next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

4. Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers

After a breakout season in 2011, we’ve been waiting for an encore from Nelson in 2012. He gave it to us on Sunday night, racking up 121 receiving yards while tying career-highs with nine catches and three touchdowns in a 42-24 win over the Houston Texans. It was by far the best game of the season for the former Kansas State standout, who had only scored double-digit fantasy points once this season. Next week, he’ll face the Rams, who haven’t been kind to opposing fantasy receivers. Then again, that’s what we thought about the Texans.

3. Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets

Last week, I wrote that Greene was a good start against the Indianapolis Colts. But I never expected this. The Jets running back took off for 161 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 35-9 win. It was just the second time Greene scored double-digit fantasy points. The other time was Week 1 versus the Bills. He’s a matchup-based start, but when he has a good matchup … watch out! Next week’s matchup, you ask? It’s the New England Patriots. That’s not so good.

2. Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins

After a two-week absence, RG3 is back among the weekly fantasy elite. The rookie’s passing numbers weren’t spectacular — just 182 yards with a touchdown — but he made up for it with his legs. Griffin rushed for 138 yards and two scores, including a 76-yard touchdown dash to seal Washington’s 38-26 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He has now scored 22 or more fantasy points in five of his first six NFL games and is an automatic start every week. Griffin and the Redskins take on the New York Giants in Week 8.

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

Normally the player in this spot is honored with a #KABOOM, but after throwing for 338 yards and a career-high six touchdowns, a simple #KABOOM is probably short-changing Aaron Rodgers. Houston started the day having allowed the third-fewest points to fantasy quarterbacks, but was shredded routinely by the NFL’s reigning MVP. In Week 8, Rodgers and the Pack have a date with the Rams in St. Louis.